Professor Zhao Wenhua: Pioneering the Frontiers, Nurturing Talents through Practice

PART 01 The Founding Insight

Professor ZHAO’s initial attraction to SJTU lay in its distinctive approach. He recognized a place where the rich legacy of a historic institution met a forward-looking, pragmatic spirit in educational research. Here was a platform where theory did not exist in isolation but was intimately connected to the pressing work of national development. "What resonated with me was how SJTU’s research was cultivated from the soil of actual educational practice," he reflects. This early insight—that meaningful scholarship must engage with the real world—fundamentally shaped his academic identity and future path.

PART 02 Cultivating the Ground

The late 1990s, with the establishment of the Master's program, were years of foundational growth for the Institute of Higher Education. As part of its early core, Professor ZHAO participated in building an entity that was uniquely integrated into the university’s life. The Institute served a dual role as an academic department and an internal strategic think tank. This positioning meant that research and university governance were in constant dialogue. "Our work connected scholarly analysis directly to institutional decision-making," he observes. The environment was demanding, with significant teaching and mentoring responsibilities, yet profoundly fulfilling due to its tangible impact and collaborative nature.

PART 03 A Platform for Legacy

The creation of the standalone School of Education represented a pivotal evolution. For Professor ZHAO, this was more than an administrative change; it was the moment the discipline at SJTU claimed its place at the heart of the academic enterprise. It presented a clear canvas upon which a new, distinct legacy could be built. Even as he later assumed broader administrative duties within the university, he consciously anchored his professional identity in his role as an educator and scholar within the School. This continuity was a choice, stemming from a deep-seated belief in the discipline's potential and his personal commitment to its advancement at SJTU.

PART 04 The Dialogue of Mentorship

For Professor ZHAO, the heart of academic life resides in the transformative relationship with students. He champions a mentorship philosophy of discernment and individual support, guiding each student according to their unique strengths and aspirations. The success of his students, now spread across academia, public service, and industry, is a source of great pride. Yet, he is often most moved by the reciprocal dynamic that true mentorship fosters. He recounts how encouragement from former students was instrumental in his pursuit of major national grants. "In cultivating talent, one often finds that the students, in turn, become a source of momentum and inspiration for the mentor," he shares. This mutual advancement embodies the core principle of teaching and learning growing together.

PART 05 The Constants: Principles Forged Over Time

Reflecting on a career spanning nearly three decades, Professor ZHAO identifies four guiding principles: Dream, Persistence, Striving, and Integrity. "Dream" provided the compass during years of ambitious planning. "Persistence" was the daily discipline of scholarly dedication over the long arc of a career. "Striving" embodied the determination to excel and contribute meaningfully, even when the discipline itself was finding its footing. Finally, "Integrity" defined his approach to collaboration and leadership—actively supporting colleagues and students, focusing on collective progress over individual credit. In his view, lasting accomplishment arises less from sheer intellect and more from the resilient combination of visionary dreaming and steadfast endurance.

PART 06 Forward Glance: Roots and Aspirations

As the School celebrates its fifth anniversary against the backdrop of the discipline's four decades at SJTU, Professor ZHAO’s perspective is both rooted and forward-looking. "My fundamental connection remains here, with the School and with the study of education," he affirms. His hope is for the School to accelerate its trajectory, developing a reputation and scholarly impact commensurate with SJTU’s standing. To emerging scholars and students, his counsel is timeless yet urgent: "Cultivate a genuine dream, and pair it with profound perseverance. In an era that prizes breadth and rapid change, it is depth, focus, and sustained commitment that ultimately create significance and enduring influence."

Professor ZHAO’s professional narrative—from the nascent stages of an institute to the establishment of a full-fledged School—parallels the broader story of educational scholarship at SJTU. It is a narrative woven with threads of foresight, principled action, and a deeply held belief in the power of education to shape institutions and individuals. In the fertile ground he has helped tend, roots grow deep, and the promise of new growth continues to unfold.

Translated by NIU Jiayi

Rewritten, Proofread and Edited by CHEN Ruoxi